Pop star Tate McRae stole the pre-match spotlight at the World Cup on Friday, walking out with the official match ball ahead of Spain’s quarter-final against Belgium at the Los Angeles stadium, moments before La Roja sealed a dramatic 2-1 win to reach the semi-finals.
The Canadian singer’s surprise appearance before kickoff instantly went viral, with clips flooding social media and her name shooting up trending lists as football fans and pop fans collided in celebration.
Tate McRae’s Match Ball Moment
Before the opening whistle, the 23-year-old was handed the honor of carrying the official ball onto the pitch, a ceremonial role FIFA has increasingly given to celebrities during this tournament’s marquee matches.
Her presence caught both football fans and her own followers by surprise, and images of the moment spread rapidly, turning her name into one of the day’s top trends. One viral fan post summed up the reaction: screaming, then crowning her a queen.
McRae has been a visible presence at this World Cup, having also been spotted days earlier at Norway’s stunning win over Brazil.
Who Is Tate McRae?
Born Tate Rosner McRae in Calgary, Canada, she first found fame as a dancer, becoming the first Canadian to reach the final of the U.S. series So You Think You Can Dance in 2016 before pivoting to music.
She has since become one of pop’s biggest young stars, with more than nine and a half million Instagram followers tracking her performances and travels, and her dance-first stage style has drawn frequent comparisons to prime-era pop icons.
Tate McRae delivering the ball at the Spain vs Belgium World Cup Match Today! pic.twitter.com/NcmN1FK4zd
— Tate McRae Tour & Updates (@t8mcraetours) July 10, 2026
The Match: Spain Survives a Scare to Reach the Semis
McRae’s cameo preceded a classic. Fabián Ruiz gave Spain the lead before Charles De Ketelaere’s 41st-minute header leveled it, the first goal Spain had conceded in the entire tournament after five straight clean sheets.
The winner came late and cruelly for Belgium. With two minutes of normal time left, backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled Pau Cubarsí’s low drive straight to substitute Mikel Merino, who tapped home, his second decisive goal off the bench in the knockout rounds after his winner against Portugal. Spain now meets France in the first semi-final.
Belgium, marshaled by Kevin De Bruyne in what may be his final World Cup match and roared on by King Philippe in the stands, pushed to the end, with Aymeric Laporte’s acrobatic goal-line clearance denying Romelu Lukaku an equalizer.
The Star-Studded Stands
McRae headlined a celebrity guest list befitting a Hollywood-adjacent quarter-final. Brad Pitt was shown on the broadcast watching Lamine Yamal, Timothée Chalamet continued his summer of sport, and Spanish stars Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem cheered on La Roja.
Internet culture was represented too: KSI was spotted in the stands, filmed by IShowSpeed, who wore a custom split Spain-Belgium jersey and has attended so many matches this summer that only FIFA president Gianni Infantino rivals his attendance record.
Why Celebrities Keep Showing Up at This World Cup
The North American World Cup has fused sport and entertainment like no edition before it, from celebrity ball deliveries to a Justin Bieber, Madonna, and BTS halftime show planned for the July 19 final.
For McRae, Friday’s cameo doubles as a homecoming of sorts: a Canadian star center stage at a tournament co-hosted by her home country, handing over the ball at one of its defining matches.
FAQ
Why was Tate McRae at the Spain vs Belgium match?
She was given the ceremonial honor of delivering the official match ball before the World Cup quarter-final in Los Angeles on July 10, 2026.
Who won Spain vs Belgium?
Spain won 2-1, with Mikel Merino’s 88th-minute goal sending them to a semi-final against France.
Who is Tate McRae?
A 23-year-old Canadian pop star from Calgary who first gained fame as the first Canadian finalist on So You Think You Can Dance in 2016.
Which celebrities attended the match?
Brad Pitt, Timothée Chalamet, Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem, KSI, and IShowSpeed were all spotted, alongside Belgium’s King Philippe.
Was this Tate McRae’s first World Cup appearance?
No. She was also spotted at Norway’s quarter-final upset of Brazil earlier in the tournament.
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